On January 2, 2013 Congress extended a majority of the “Bush Tax Cuts.” As part of that bill, the estate tax applicable exclusion amount (the amount that can be passed free of estate tax) was set at $5.25 million and indexed for inflation. This meant that a married couple, with proper planning, could pass, at death or during lifetime, as much as $10.5 million free from gift or estate tax. The gift and estate tax rate was increased to 40% from 35% in 2011 and 2012. The bill indicated this change … [Read more...] about Permanent Tax Cuts: It All Depends on What the Definition of “Permanent” Is
White House Unveils $100 Million Brain Mapping Project
On April 2, 2013, President Obama unveiled plans for the federal government to invest $100 million in human brain mapping. The goal is that the research will unlock the secret of mental conditions from dementia to epilepsy. This project will be known as the BRAIN initiative – Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies. The funding for BRAIN is expected to be delivered in 2014. Private institutions will be encouraged to work alongside government agencies in the research. … [Read more...] about White House Unveils $100 Million Brain Mapping Project
Guardianship Provisions are an Essential Part of a Comprehensive Estate Plan
Recent celebrity cases illustrate the importantance of naming a guardian for minor children and having an updated estate plan in place. Anna Nicole Smith Estate Tragedy When Playboy playmate Anna Nicole Smith died of a drug overdose, her Will contained a provision leaving everything to her son Daniel, who had died the year before, also of a drug overdose. The Will contained an unusual provision disinheriting all other children, including future born children. Days before the death of her … [Read more...] about Guardianship Provisions are an Essential Part of a Comprehensive Estate Plan
Congress Pulls Taxpayers Up From the Abyss
In case you missed it, we fell off the fiscal cliff on January 1, 2013. However, less than twenty-four hours later, Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2013 (“ATRA”), reinstituting the Bush income tax cuts for most Americans and “permanently” fixing the estate tax. … [Read more...] about Congress Pulls Taxpayers Up From the Abyss
Associate Attorney Pamela Valencia Passes Certification Exam
Dennis is proud to announce that our associate attorney, Pamela Valencia, passed the exam administered by the California Bar Board of Legal Specialists to become certified as a Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist. Dennis is the only attorney in California with three specialist designations as a Certified Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law Specialist, a Certified Taxation Law Specialist and a Certified Elder Law Attorney. Click here to lean more about the Legal … [Read more...] about Associate Attorney Pamela Valencia Passes Certification Exam
Dennis M. Sandoval, A PLC is Admitted as Charter Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Our law firm had been admitted as a charter member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association. Our law firm is the only law firm in Southern California with a Geriatric Care Coordinator on staff. Karen Griffith, our Geriatric Care Coordinator, works exhaustively to secure the highest of care for our frail elderly and disabled clients. With the growing population of frail elderly and families needing advice regarding in-home care, assisted living and skilled nursing homes, life care planning … [Read more...] about Dennis M. Sandoval, A PLC is Admitted as Charter Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association
Money Magazine Touts the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Money Magazine recently named the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys as the resource to go to for a referral of a qualified estate planning attorney. Dennis has been the Director of Education for the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys since 2000. In his capacity of Director of Education, Mr. Sandoval trains estate planning attorneys nationwide on all areas of estate planning and elder law. … [Read more...] about Money Magazine Touts the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
Dennis is Elected as President of Southern California NAELA Chapter
Dennis has been elected as the 2008 / 2009 president of the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. To learn more about the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, click here. … [Read more...] about Dennis is Elected as President of Southern California NAELA Chapter
Dennis is Named to NELF Board of Directors
In June, Dennis finished his term as the 2008 / 2009 president of the Southern California Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. To learn more about NELF, click here. … [Read more...] about Dennis is Named to NELF Board of Directors
Dennis Finishes Term as President of Southern California NAELA Chapter
The membership of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys has voted to confirm the nomination of Dennis to the Board of Directors of NAELA. The National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys is the premier membership organization for attorneys specializing in elder law. For more information on NAELA, visit its website at www.naela.org. Dennis will serve on the Board of Directors from 2008 through 2010. … [Read more...] about Dennis Finishes Term as President of Southern California NAELA Chapter
